Climate

Climate Change is a significant issue for Australian communities. Even with international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the global climate is projected to undergo significant change, creating both risks to communities and the environment as well as opportunities to improve our processes, behaviours and technologies.

Key changes in climate likely to influence the HCCREMS region and potential impacts associated with these include:

Rainfall and water availability – fluctuations in water supply for drinking, irrigation and industrial use, as well as more pronounced flooding and drying cycles.

The HCCREMS team has played a significant role in building awareness of climate change risk and defining and responding to these at both regional and local scales. Key initiatives delivered through the HCCREMS Climate Change Program to date include:

Coordinating development of local and regional (Rural & Coastal) climate change risk assessment and adaptation plans by councils

Developing a Decision Support Framework and Guide to support consistent, transparent and objectives based decision making by councils for coastal adaptation planning

Improved information sharing and exchange between councils

A more consistent regional approach to community education

Researching the level of awareness and preparedness of `at risk' communities to climate induced natural disasters

Developing a Heatwave Planning Template to support councils, health and community service organisations work collaboratively to build community resilience to this increasingly frequent and severe climate risk